Gloria Wright / The Post-StandardCarbon monoxide detectors like this one are now required in every residence in New York.
Syracuse, NY -- Homeowners, landlords and teen drivers, take care -- two new state laws take effect today.
One, Amanda’s Law, requires a carbon-monoxide detector to be installed in every home and apartment in the state. Homes built before 2008 must have at least one functioning detector on the lowest level with a bedroom. The only exceptions are homes that have no natural gas furnaces or appliances and do not have attached garages. Battery-operated, plug in or hard-wired detectors are acceptable.
Homes built in 2008 or later must have detectors wired into their electrical systems and must have them on every floor with a sleeping room or a carbon monoxide source.
The law is named for Amanda Hansen, who died 13 months ago of carbon monoxide poisoning at age 16 while on a sleepover at a friend’s house. Click here to read the law.
The other new law will make it illegal for a driver younger than 18 to drive with more than one non-family passenger under age 21, unless the driver’s parent or guardian also is in the vehicle. Currently, two such riders are allowed before a parent or guardian must ride along. The change affects those who get their licenses on Monday or later, said Nick Cantiello, speaking for the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

In addition, people with learner’s permits now will need to have 50 hours of driving practice under their seat belts, including 15 hours after sunset, and hold their permits for six months before they get their licenses. The current law allows permit drivers take road tests after 20 hours behind the wheel.

Learners whose road tests are scheduled for Monday or after will have to meet the new practice-hours requirement regardless of when they got their permits, Cantiello said.

Also, as of Monday the state no longer will issue junior licenses allowing teens who passed their road tests within six months of getting their permits to drive unsupervised to school or work. However, those who already hold junior licenses will be allowed to keeling using them, Cantiello said.